The Green Flame Torch

Chapter 1 A Cold Day in November

The Snape estate, Abundantia Manor, is one of the grandest in the town of Token, and is situated on top of a large hill. It is the center point of town and the family has lived and prospered in it for generations. The estate itself is made of sandstone that has aged over the years and turned a soft golden hue. It gives the idea that Abundantia is made of gold from a distance. It is always said in Token, "When an estate is bountiful in propriety, so is the family." And this could be agreed upon. The Snape's were known for being regal, civil, and above all wealthy.

The manor across a small valley, on top of a slightly lower hill, was the Malfoy estate. It wasn't as old as Abundantia but it did have an air of propriety, if not more. The manor was large to be sure, made of the best white marble imported from Athens, Greece. The front was held up my four large columns with a relief of a dragon on each one. The estate was not the soft hue of gold like Abundantia, but a cold blue white that reflected any light shone on it, which made looking at the manor painful. As with Abundantia the estate reflected the family.

It was a cold November morning in Token and the lady of the Malfoy estate had just woken up. She walked up and down the corridors repeatedly without saying a word to anyone. The silence was broken by the sudden shriek of a baby. She looked at one of the house elves that was watching her nervously, and tilted her head swiftly in the direction of the shrieks. The little house elf ran off without looking back. Soon the shrieks were replaced by the soft cooing of the baby as it was put back to sleep.

"Where is he?" the lady whispered to herself as she pushed her long white blonde hair out of her face.

She was wearing an elegant night robe, made of blue silk, and had quite a beautiful face herself. Except for the sneer she would get when one of the house elves would ask her what was wrong. She was young, in her early twenties, and by the look of her red eyes, hadn't slept well in a few days. She finally gave up pacing and fell down, exhausted, in a chair.

Without even looking at one of the house elves she commanded, "Bring me some tea."

Two house elves ran off and the others sat down staring at her.

"Can't you find something to do, then stare at me! Go wash something you meddlesome creatures!" she snapped.

Immediately all the house elves ran around the house frantic, grabbing wash rags and the first thing they could find, and cleaning it. Just at that moment the two house elves came running back in with a tray of tea. They too went about trying to clean the first thing they could find. The lady ignored the tea and leaned over to one elf that was next to her trying to clean the wooden legs of the chair she was in.

"Dobby, you simpleton, I meant something not in here!"

The house elf looked up at her apologetically with his large eyes and ran into the kitchen. She leaned back in her chair and faced forward, and in front of her was a young blonde man, all in black, that appeared out of nowhere. She jumped up in her seat.

"Narcissa, I'm sorry." said the man in black.

"You startled me," said Narcissa as she got out of her seat and ran to him, "I was so worried, what happened?"

She hugged him and escorted him to the chair she was just in.

"I couldn't find her anywhere." He said with a heavy sigh.

"That little vixen," Snarled Narcissa, " She can't of gotten far."

"I have searched everywhere, but one." said the man as he looked out the window towards Abundantia.

"She would be daft to go there, wouldn't she?" said Narcissa as she put her fingers through his hair.

"Hopefully not," He said wringing his hands, "For all are sakes."

At that moment the young cries of the baby were heard again. The man rose from the chair and began to walk in their direction.

"Lucius, what about the baby?" asked Narcissa urgently.

Lucius turned around to face her but couldn't bring himself to look her in the eyes.

"I'm working on it." He said in a half whisper staring at the wall behind her.

He then turned around and continued walking, followed by his wife.

* * *

In Abundantia Mrs. Bianca Snape was found pacing her room as well. She was in her late forties and still very attractive. She wore an elegant robe of scarlet and her light brown hair was up in butterfly pins. She tried reading to calm her nerves but her mind kept wondering. The hours ticked trudgingly by and it eventually it was the afternoon. She was still pacing when she felt her stomach rumble. Realizing she hadn't left her room in hours, she ventured out to find something to eat. She exited her room and made her way down three lengthy staircases and entered the informal dining room and sat down.

"Nina, come in here please." Called Bianca to a door.

Within a few minutes a small house elf with floppy ears like a rabbit, round eyes, and a dress that resembled a child's apron appeared.

"Yes, ma'am?" asked Nina as she curtsied.

"Can you ask them in the kitchen to fix me some soup, nothing heavy. Oh, and a glass of wine."

Nina looked at her perplexed about the order, being that it was bit early for wine, but curtsied and agreed. Bianca looked around the empty large room and a shiver went up her spine. She pulled her robe tightly around her. The fireplace in the corner was ablaze, but the room was far too enormous for the fireplace to have any effect on it. Bianca got out of her seat and found one closer to the fireplace.

She stared at the mantle above the fireplace with the many photos it had upon it. The pictures were particularly of three children, her two daughters and son. Other pictures had her youngest girl with two of her friends giggling and posing like singers. Bianca smiled to herself and let out a soft giggle. The girls began to dance and sing, although they couldn't be heard. Her son in the picture next to it was covering his ears and sticking his tongue out at the girls dancing.

Then, the flames in the fireplace began to flicker violently and turned green. Bianca jumped out of her seat. Soon a cloud of green ashes appeared and a man holding a little girl appeared. He stepped out of the fireplace and Bianca ran to him. He had a sallow complexion and long black hair and a long crooked nose.

"Severus! Oh, my dear I was so frightened and-" Bianca stopped as her eyes arrived on the child, "I don't understand."

Severus carried the child, who was fast asleep, and laid her down in one of the chairs. She fit perfectly in a little curled up ball, being that she couldn't have been more than two. The flames became green again and the ashes swirled around. A young woman this time appeared and stepped out of the flames helped by Severus. The woman coughed loudly as she brushed away the ashes off of her robe. Bianca ran to the young woman with a shriek.

"Imogen! My Imogen!" cried Bianca as she embraced the woman, "Oh, my darling, I thought I would never see you again."

Imogen held Bianca tight and began to cry as well.

"I'm so sorry mummy," she sobbed.